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Post by scorpionshadow on Jul 21, 2011 14:33:08 GMT -5
One more appearance in court...
As I concentrate and I focus on the challenges ahead, my mind has brought me the ghosts of the past.
It rained heavily on the castle of Kyuden Bayushi as the drops clattered heavily against the roof tiles. The bushi Shosuro Hiromitsu greeted those he came near to, bowing to everyone as he entered into the court.
He was a young man, whose soul had been aged upfront through battles against the enemies of the Empire. Or so he thought. As he went into the court, he tried to leave behind all the hassles of the day. The pain of training, leaving only what could serve his clan.
One is not what she claims to be, but what she does during a lifetime.
He was obviously a warrior. Wide shoulders, arms and legs were toned. His form complimented the Daisho that he maintained, as he carried it at the waist on the right side. It was kept low in order to make it more difficult to counter a low attack.
His kimono was deep red with the Shosuro's mon in the right lapel, with several black vines that were designed, nearly ubiquitous at the bottom and almost nonexistent at the collar. It was as if the shadows were trying to hold the young man on the ground.
His eyes were seeking acquaintances, but more than that, they sought wise, enlightened people who might appease the rage he felt whole, or at least to direct it.
That's when he saw her, he was aware of her roots, of how she behaved and her courage. However was when he knew how she treated the horses, he decided to approach.[/i]
-Bayushi Haruka-sama, can I sit down, please?
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Bayushi Haruka
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jul 21, 2011 14:58:10 GMT -5
Haruka had been returned back to Kyuden Bayushi, much as it was against her wishes. The Scorpion Champion insisted upon it, and it was beyond her place to contest his desire.
She had taken a place off to the side in court, as there was a small table and a bit of tea in place when she saw this Shosuro approach her. Honestly she'd never met him before, but Haruka was not worried in the least as she welcomed the chance to become more familiar with those in her new clan.
"Of course, I always welcome the chance to speak to a new brother. I would only ask one thing.
What is your name?"
Her voice was delicate and inviting, as her eyes reguarded him. Her mask was lowered so that she might quietly enjoy her tea.
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Post by scorpionshadow on Jul 21, 2011 15:22:16 GMT -5
He greeted respectfully as he approached.
-I am Shosuro Hiromitsu, student of Bayushi Kusanagi-Sensei in the Bayushi Bushi Dojo, I am from a long family tradition in the art of war, the third son of Shosuro Unaoki-sama, governor of Goguri and Shosuro Tomoyo-sama, they are both Bushi too.
His eyes, for less than one second, left a pride shine, a simple pride but very intense one, obviously because of his parents and their ancestrality.
I really wish I could count on them now.
As he sat down, he felt more calm and focused, your thoughts start to balance and organize.
-Sorry, but I will speak openly. As the sounds of drums grow louder, the possibility of war becomes clearer. And I can not help but think that, in the mists of battle, as brother kills brother, our enemy laughs.
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Bayushi Haruka
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jul 21, 2011 15:27:33 GMT -5
Alana, Haruka's dutiful servant silently poured another cup of tea for her new conversational partner. She maintained a shaded presence for the moment as Haruka took a long drink before speaking.
"No war is without it's price. That much I know myself. I lost many friends to the defense of Mountain Watch Keep..."
Her eyes seemed to avert as she had to force the pain of those days asside. With a breath she steadied herself as she looked to him once again.
"A civil war was the last thing any of us truly desired, but tell me...
Who do you really think the enemy is?"
She seemed oddly focused on him and his opinions considering his rank and position.
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Post by scorpionshadow on Jul 21, 2011 16:48:54 GMT -5
Without even a hint of doubt or hesitation, Hiromitsu spoke with a voice that betrayed the little bit of sorrow that he felt.
-The mysterious pack of ronin that emerged recently. Self titled Spider, I heard of their land is just south of Crab. I immediately volunteered to investigate the matter and have found their master, a man by the name Daigotsu in the city of the lost.
For a while he remembered his the journey and his hand was unconsciously seeking a little bit of jade, something that was advised by Kitsuki Yuushahime-Sama. The sleeve of his kimono, on the inside, some jade fingers could be seen trapped along the seam.
-The black tower that has recently emerged in the shadow lands is not a coincidence, nor are the spider webs that exist in the imperial court. And suddenly this war seems very ... Suitable for some plans.
In his thoughts, he had seen himself creeping up in court and "helping" the "noble samurai" of the spider clan to find his way to the spiritual world. He was prepared to buy the bad karma of all those who chose wrong, since this action was going to save many of the consequences of their actions.
-Again, my ignorance is my worst foe and my desire to help becomes the temper of my spirit. Much resentment has been generated by the resolution of the conflict over three sides of the river, and my concern is that our enemy uses it against us.
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Bayushi Haruka
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jul 21, 2011 17:14:27 GMT -5
The mistress of secrets seemed to maintain a respectful neutral gaze with Hiromitsu. He had the courage to go forth into the heart of darkness and also still the wisdom to be wary on all fronts.
Her pride overtook her a bit as she could not subdue a small smile, as his words sounded very familiar.
"Ah yes, this Spider clan draws much of the attention, as they have been doing so for some time. I must admit, I'm quite surprised you went and learned of their leader's name...
Daigotsu.." She stroked her chin thoughtfully.
Her mind now fluttered between the conversation and the course of events as well as to her rather unsavory acquaintance and her resurrected sister.
Haruka's gaze remained distant as her eyes became unfocused.
"I understand the likelihood of such accusations against the tainted individuals. It is easy to assume that their nature is a straightforward motivation for the actions that have caused the empire to divide.
It suits their desires well, since I have heard that they wish to not simply infiltrate the empire, but in fact become a part of it."
The gravity of her words seemed to bring her back down to center as she looked again to Hiromitsu.
"They have unleashed a plague and raised an army. They establish fortresses and raise the dead.. their cultists slip among the shadows of the empire through the courts and through the wilderness.
Very few are so bold as to stand by these Lost men." She took another long drink as she paused her line of thinking, wondering how Hiromitsu might respond.
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Post by scorpionshadow on Jul 21, 2011 19:43:08 GMT -5
In each word, the truth seemed to fit pieces of information before without ties, in his mind. Memories of the walking dead, the hauntings and of all the horrors he had seen, for even if the body and his soul had returned unharmed, the mind had witnessed the killing of a few good companions.
-The plague! I was not related to the plague. Actually I let the work of healing those injured with the shugenja and kept myself away from things that really did not understand.
Deep down he knew that things had to get worse.
-Well, no doubt lies in my spirit. Bayushi Haruka-sama have helped me greatly. I shall volunteer to remedy this evil, at any cost. I hope that my Daimio receive me and understand my proposal. I do not believe we have time. For our neutrality in the conflicts to come will not last long.
He seemed a bit more sure of his thoughts, though he was divided because he could not imagine that these were data not known by the Daimious.
-How do I thank to great aid given by Bayushi Haruka-sama to me?
He bowed as he thanked, slowly and respectfully.
To die the death of a warrior, what more could I want? I greatly admire the one who can live the life of a hero and still survive to retire as a monk. Being an little old man, looking at the grandchildren and even to smile without having teeth. To embrace the warm body of his wife and recite haikus decorated in the previous day for her. All of this brings me joy. Perhaps I may not have it, however, I shall make sure that I will do everything in my power to offer that to the samurais who come after me.
Kamis, let this be my legacy.
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Bayushi Haruka
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jul 22, 2011 11:12:48 GMT -5
Haruka seemed to simply watch Hiromitsu, seemingly weighing very heavy thoughts on her mind. In the end it appeared she could not help herself as she spoke much more softly, as her mood changed.
"If only it was that simple to me Shosuro-san..."
She knew this would draw his attention at the very least. She had to maintain a calm and collected appearance as she spoke. For the first time in a long time, she set the tea asside and did not drink.
"I was one of some who had ventured into the Phoenix lands at one time or another. Even during the time of the Mountain Watch Keep conflict. At my general's request of course, as I otherwise would never leave the battle otherwise.
It was clear that the fighting had taken a toll on me, physically and mentally and it seemed that one chance meeting with a Phoenix shugenja allowed me the chance to learn of something more to the previous conflict. I hunted rumors, I searched for a hidden city, and I found a group of Yobanjin who wished for nothing more than to live in peace.
These people, though still no different to the very same who I fought against, had no desire for battle. When I finally coaxed some answers from the locals, it turned out that the entire conflict had been stirred up from beyond our borders.
Sadly the closest I came to a name, was their new leader Tuldar, who some claimed is the reincarnation of Battul himself, the Yobanjin warlord who cast asside the Kami with such naive self assurance, he would never be welcomed into Rokugan again.
But what troubles me the most Shosuro-san, is that he did not rise up of his own accord. Someone put thoughts of war into his head, but the only thing I know of this instigator is... 'A Rokugani noble' has been in contact with Tuldar for the last several years."
Haruka only paused for a moment as she allowed the words to wash over the younger bushi. Alana seemed to be efficient in silently deterring anyone short of the Scorpion Champion from drawing near now with her piercing, mute gaze.
"I am the only one who is increasingly suspicious. Bayushi Senshi-sama is preoccupied with the Spider, as are you.
As you should be."
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Post by scorpionshadow on Jul 23, 2011 8:15:03 GMT -5
The samurai frowned for a moment and looked out the window. He saw the rainfall and the night outside. He heard the wind chimes and contemplated all the beauty of the night.
-We should wait for orders, besides being expected, becomes the only option available. For knowledge is far more precious than gold. I recall a story that my father used to tell me.
-There was this heimin at a sake-house, just looking at his drink. He stays like that for half of an hour.
-Then, this big trouble-making Ashigaru steps next to him, takes the drink from the guy, and just drinks it all down. The poor man starts crying. The Ashigaru says, "Come on man, I was just joking. Here, I'll buy you another drink. I just can't stand to see a man cry."
-"No, it's not that. This day is the worst of my life. First, I fall asleep, and I go late to my work as a fisher. The boat owner, outrageous, fires me. When I leave the boat, to my raft, I found out it was stolen. The samurai said that they can do nothing. I get a to walk home, and then, I remember I left my bag of coins and fishing net there. The boat just sales away."
-"I go home, and when I get there, I find my wife in bed with an Eta. I leave home, and come to this Sake-House. And just when I was thinking about putting an end to my life, you show up and drink my poison."
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Bayushi Haruka
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jul 25, 2011 10:07:30 GMT -5
Haruka smiled. She knew the Shosuro family were grand fighters, and excellent deceivers, but she'd always envied their ability with words. Much as she envied those raised in the Bayushi ways.
"We shall await these 'delegates' on behalf of the two sides. Your story shows how well you understand.
War may be inevitable, but we shall do our best to ensure that whatever decision is reached shall be the correct path."
Haruka returned her hands to her tea cup to enjoy the soft warmth it gave on such a rainy evening in court. Though she wouldn't say it, confiding in Hiromitsu eased a bit of a burden off her heart. She did admittedly look slightly more relieved, but only in subtle sense.
Her gaze seemed to wander past Hiromitsu at this point as she seemed to have said her peace. However the Shosuro was too good of company to simply dismiss him, as she enjoyed a quiet conversation with him. It was an unspoken gesture, but genuine as ever.
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Post by scorpionshadow on Jul 26, 2011 8:29:33 GMT -5
The Bushi agreed with her. Indeed, there was no other option and they would have to wait. Much more could be lost with careless actions. However, this was clearly a burden to him.
Much like an Iaijutsu Duel ... Focus, focus, and wait for the right time. He thought.
However, soon would approach one another Bushi.
This one was smaller, more slender, with short hair and his mask came down to a red band on the forehead that nearly covered his eyebrows, which bore with black ink, the kanji that signified "forehead".
He bows, greeting the two.
-Shosuro-sempai, Bayushi Haruka-sama, I am Soshi Yeda, a student at the same Dojo that Shosuro Hiromitsu-sempai and bring information that Bayushi Kusanagi Sensei wants to have a conversation with Shosuro-sempai.
Hiromitsu thank and congratulate the colleague, silently, and then turns towards Bayushi Haruka, asking permission to leave.
-I look forward to talk again with Bayushi-sama. Thank you for your time and attention. With your permission, I must go.
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Bayushi Haruka
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jul 26, 2011 14:08:52 GMT -5
She nodded and bowed her head.
"Of course Shosuro-san, I will be remaining in Kyuden Bayushi until the clan has come to a decision.
It was a pleasure and and honor to speak with you."
Again she would nod her head as she was able to relax a bit more easily, thanks to that conversation.
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Post by Bayushi Hiromitsu on Aug 18, 2011 19:41:28 GMT -5
^___~ (im BACK! Now with an even more awful avatar.)
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